eral together, and Joe rose and followed Mathew
upstairs.

'Oh, are you a medical man?' cried Lockwood, as the other entered.

'After a fashion, I may say I am. At least, I can tell you where my skill
will come to its limit, and that is something.'

'Look here, then--he would insist on getting up, and I fear he has
displaced the position of the bones. You must be very gentle, for the pain
is terrific.'

'No; there's no great mischief done--the fractured parts are in a proper
position. It is the mere pain of disturbance. Cover it all over with
the ice again, and'--here he felt his pulse--'let him have some weak
brandy-and-water.'

'That's sensible advice--I feel it. I am shivery all over,' said Walpole.

'I'll go and make a brew for you,' cried Joe, 'and you shall have it as hot
as you can drink it.'

He had scarcely left the room, when he returned with the smoking compound.

'You're such a jolly doctor,' said Walpole, 'I feel sure you'd not refuse
me a cigar?'

'Certainly not.'

'Only think! that old barbarian who was here this morning said I was to
have nothing but weak tea or iced lemonade.'

Lockwood selected a mild-looking weed, and handed it to his friend, and was
about to offer one to Atlee, when he said--

'But we have taken you from your dinner--pray go back again.'

'No, we were at dessert. I'll stay here and have a smoke, if you will let
me. Will it bore you, though?'

'On the contrary,' said Walpole, 'your company will be a great boon to us;
and as for myself, you have done me good already.'

'What would you say, Major Lockwood, to taking my place below-stairs? They
are just sitting over their wine--some very pleasant claret--and the young
ladies, I perceive, here, give half an hour of their company before they
leave the dining-room.'

'Here goes, then,' said Lockwood. 'Now that you remind me of it, I do want
a glass of wine.'

Lockwood found the party below-stairs eagerly discussing Joe Atlee's
medical qualifications, and doubting whether, if it was a knowledge of
civil engineering or marine gunnery had been required, he would not have
been equally ready to offer himself for the emergency.

'I'll lay my life on it, if the real doctor arrives, Joe will take the lead
in the consultation,' cried Dick: 'he is the most unabashable villain in
Europe.'

'Well, he has put Cecil all right,' said Lockwood: 'he has settled the arm
most comfortably on the pillow, the pain is decreasing every mome